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Patchwork Sampler

Make quilts. Use fabric. Have fun.

mini quilt, piecing, trimming blocks · April 28, 2016

Trimming Mini Flying Geese

Every time I work on a small project I think it takes as much time to make a mini as it does a full-size quilt.  This latest little wall hanging was no exception.  Awhile back I came across a pattern called Little Bites Whit by Miss Rosie’s Quilt Company.  It intrigued me because it called for making flying geese blocks from 2-1/2 “ squares.  I had a couple of mini charm packs so thought it might be fun to use them in this project.

Almost as soon as I started this, I realized it would require two techniques I try to avoid at all costs:  trimming up blocks and pressing seams open.  It took awhile but I finally got the flying geese blocks sewn and then came the dreaded task of trimming them all.  For years my mantra has been: cut accurately, sew accurately and be done with it.  It didn’t work for this so I got down to business and started trimming.

The process was made much easier with the Shape Cut ruler.  If I could have only one ruler in my studio, this would be it.  It works particularly well for trimming blocks.  These little flying geese were to be cut 1-1/2” x 2-1/2” so I started by aligning the long side of the block along the dashed 1/4” line and cut in the 2” slot.

FG trim-step 1

Then, rotate the unit 180 degrees and line up the edge you just cut along the zero line, and cut in the 1-1/2” slot.

FG trim step 2

Last, rotate the unit 90 degrees to trim the sides.  I have a piece of wonder tape along a slot in the ruler to center the goose tip.  Cut along the sides to cut the unit 2-1/2”.

FG trim step 3

Now repeat that 143 times and you’ll have enough blocks to make a little wall hanging.

Once I started sewing the blocks together it really helped that I centered the tip of the goose.  My blocks went together nicely and everything seemed to line up without cutting off any points.

FG trim-7

In order to reduce the bulk in these units, I pressed the seams open.  For many reasons, I don’t like seams pressed open but that’s a blog post for another time.  In this case it helped to make these really flat. 

All of these steps take a lot of time, but I’m hoping it’s worth it in the end.

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In: mini quilt, piecing, trimming blocks · Tagged: mini quilt, trimming blocks, tutorial, Whit

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Comments

  1. Susan says

    May 16, 2016 at 12:43 pm

    That’s an interesting ruler. I haven’t tried one. Your tiny geese are a wonderful strip.

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